The state of Maharashtra has introduced the Maharashtra EV policy 2021, a revision of the policy introduced back in 2018. The new EV policy aims to make Maharashtra the top producer of BEVs in India in terms of annual production capacity) and for electric vehicles to make up 10 per cent of all new vehicle registrations(around three lakh vehicles a year) in the state by 2025. To this effect, the state government has pledged Rs 930 crore towards this policy valid till March 31, 2025, and announced EVs will be exempt from road tax and registration charges.

Maharashtra EV policy 2021: Electric Two-wheeler subsidy

Electric two-wheelers account for the largest share of incentives as part of the revised Maharashtra EV policy 2021, with the government expecting them to make up 10 per cent of all new vehicle registrations in the state by 2025. The state will subsidise the first 1 lakh electric two-wheeler buyers, who are eligible for an incentive of Rs 5,000 per kWh of battery capacity, limited to Rs 10,000, double the previous cap of Rs 5,000). While that is lower than what the state of Gujarat has on offer, Maharashtra is offering an additional early bird incentive of up to Rs 15,000 (for an e-two-wheeler with a 3 kWh battery) for those who purchase the two-wheeler before December 31, 2021. In effect, if the chosen electric two-wheeler has a battery capacity of close to 3 kWh, buyers will be eligible for a total benefit of Rs 25,000 this year. The Ather 450 Plus- which is currently priced at Rs 1.23 lakh  – would effectively be priced at around Rs 98,231 for those who buy it before the end of the 2021 calendar year. Similarly, the Ather 450X – currently priced at Rs 1.42 lakh – would see its price drop to Rs 1.17 lakh for the remainder of 2021.

The Revolt RV 400 electric motorcycle- currently priced at Rs 1.08 lakh – would see its price effectively reduced to around Rs 83,000. With road tax and registration waived, their on-road prices would be quite close to their ex-showroom cost. There’s also a scrappage incentive of Rs 7,000 on offer. All incentives will be handed directly to the manufacturers of these vehicles, to save buyers the hassle of coordinating with government offices to receive their subsidy. Additionally, manufacturers of e-two-wheelers will also receive an additional incentive of up to Rs 12,000 for providing a minimum five-year warranty on the battery and an assured buyback scheme.